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What price for an aerial installation?

What prices have you been quoted and paid for an aerial installation?

What prices have you been quoted and paid for an aerial install
Published on by on UK Free TV
In responses to the guideline I posted about how much having a new aerial fitted should cost, Ian Grice posted: "£40-£50? Every aerial fitter I contacted wants at least £150+VAT considering you can get a class 3 aerial for under £10 and a class 2 for under £15 and cable is 40p a metre why are they charging so much for 30 minutes work?"

OK, for some places putting up a TV aerial is hard work, such as multi-story properties. As many people will simply be exchanging a Group A, B, C/D, E or K aerial for a wideband type, often without changing the supporting pole or cable, a high price cannot be justified.

I am concerned that some companies will exploit vulnerable groups (such as the elderly).

So, I what prices have you been quoted for aerial installations? What price have you paid for installation?

Do you know of any companies to avoid? Do you know of any companies that are good value for money?

Or do you work for a great aerial installation company?





Your comments: most recent posts are at the bottom

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Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Stephen P
Monday 23 April 2012 6:16PM
nicola - did you check antenna connection?

What is the set-up?

They connecting ONE TV direct to the aerial feed. If that does not work, go outside house and see if aerial still there and pointig right way.

If you have an amp is it still powered?

And are you anywhere with recent chages? But if not, beware of retuning as you will lose channels until problem so;lved
Terry
Saturday 28 April 2012 6:41PM Ilford
Could you help, we have virgin cable tv in 2 rooms which is perfect our daughter has a freeview tv in her bedroom which again is fine. Our problem is our HD tv in our kitchen which is not working we have tried various aerials with little success. We believe we need an out side aerial but like many people don't want to pay a fortune to watch a tv in the kitchen. Any advice you can offer would be great.
jb38
Saturday 28 April 2012 7:07PM
Terry: If your daughter has Freeview in her bedroom and you have a Freeview TV (HD or otherwise) in the kitchen, then why not just run a cable from the bedroom to the kitchen? as you should have a really good signal from Crystal Palace, and so all you would require to do is fit a two way splitter in the bedroom and feed one of its outputs to the kitchen.

By the way a loft aerial should suffice at your location.
Stephen P
Saturday 28 April 2012 8:34PM
Terry you say HD TV in kitchen. HD or HD Ready? What tuners? Does it work if you take it to daughter's bdrm? Or vice-versa? Did it work on analogue? What aerial?
jb38
Saturday 28 April 2012 9:28PM
Stephen P: Yes! a valid point, as the TV might actually be faulty.
Stephen Singer
Tuesday 1 May 2012 9:22PM
I purchased a Humax PVR-9150T (refurbished)which works OK most of the time but sometimes the sound and picture fluctuate so that they become very weak for a short time then jump back to normal, then weak again.The suppliers have agreed to take it back, but is it likely to be the box at fault, or what might it be? My local transmitter is Crystal Palace
Mark Fletcher
Tuesday 1 May 2012 9:45PM Halifax
Stephen Singer.Difficult to say without a full postcode preferably,or at least a nearby location as such,to ascertain whether the refurbished Humax PVR-9150T set-top box as you specified in your earlier post is at fault,or whether you are getting your signals actually from Crystal Palace main mast or a relay mast as such.Is your aerial horizontal or vertical polarisation and if so is it a group A aerial (tipped red) or a group W wideband aerial (tipped black).
Stephen P
Tuesday 1 May 2012 10:41PM
SS - sounds more like a marginal signal than a bad box.

Could you try it elsewhere, or a different one where you are?
jb38
Tuesday 1 May 2012 11:21PM
Stephen Singer: Apart from whats already been mentioned, but by the fact of you having used the word "local" when referring to the station could suggest that you are not that terribly far away from the transmitter, and as such are possibly receiving an excessively high level of signal which is partially blocking the Humax's tuner, albeit this in an intermittent fashion as this would result in exactly the symptoms you have mentioned.

Should this situation apply to you, then if you have any type of aerial booster fitted it must be by-passed, but if you do not have a booster then for a test try a short piece of wire (about 12") pushed into the inner part of the Humax's aerial socket and giving an update on the results.
robert
Friday 4 May 2012 9:25PM
i require an roof aerial to be refixed back on to chimmney on a 4 in a block building bracket only to be done rest ok. What price?
jb38
Saturday 5 May 2012 11:07AM
robert: Any aerial installers viewing your posting cannot really reply without knowledge of your locality, something which you haven't given, and as this site covers from John O'Groats to Land's End (and beyond) prices charged can be radically different depending on where one resides.
Lauren
Saturday 5 May 2012 10:46PM
I had recently had a problem with retuning my telly.and called many compies but though I stated I was pension many company gave met set price after talki gll to many comp I went for aforaerisls of south lOndon and he tuned in my telly and said he will come back on the 18th if angbptomblem for a very good price very pleases
Gerard
Saturday 5 May 2012 10:52PM
Little tip for you guys out there if you can not or have a problem re-tuning your tv go into settings and reset tv then retune ta-da channels come back if not look me up. On A4 aerial.com request Gerard to come round.
Adina
Friday 11 May 2012 9:51PM
Hello, hope someone can advise me. I have not long moved to SE2 area and freeview signal is very poor. Have the channels do not receive at all and there is a lot of interference. My neighbours were quick to point out that I would probably need to get the aerial sorted and pointing to Crystal Palace instead of its current Woolwich position. One said he paid £300 to have it done!! Is this accurate? Would I still need to purchase new aerial, cable etc or can the existing one be simply swung round the other direction? No way I can afford £300 nicker! Thanks
jb38
Saturday 12 May 2012 7:58AM
Adina: Although I realise that there are a few areas in and around SE2 that might have had less than satisfactory reception, but now that Crystal Palace is operating on full power there is a possibility that you could well be receiving it even although your aerial is vertically mounted, and indeed you might even be able to receive it using a set top aerial, so if you can borrow one first of all carry out a re-tune your TV or box without any aerial installed, this to blank out anything stored, then plug the set top aerial in and carry out a normal re-tune and see what comes up.

Further advice dependant on results of test.



Stephen P
Saturday 12 May 2012 1:16PM
Adina - Agree with jb38.

Post your postcode for more help.

£300 sounds steep for a normal house. <£100 out in the sticks-plus London premium so maybe ££150.
Sara
Saturday 12 May 2012 1:55PM
Hello! I need an aerial with extra long pole (I think! as we are surrounded by slightly taller buildings) to go on top of small 2-storey house in London N16. Can anyone advise me how much this would cost? thank you very much
NICK ADSL UK
Saturday 12 May 2012 2:13PM
Hi Sara a good pole is around 5 meters so with aerial; you will be looking at £175 max
Stephen P
Saturday 12 May 2012 2:34PM
Sara have you tried with whatever you used for analogue? Did you get analogue OK?

C Pal very strong in N16 so may be OK despite surrounding buildings.
valerie allen
Saturday 12 May 2012 3:25PM
Two years ago I paid £285 for a digital aerial, now water is coming through the cable and the same company wants to charge me £139 to replace it, Is this way over the top?
KB aerials
Saturday 12 May 2012 3:36PM
Yeah I think they have a cheek in all honesty

I offer a 1 year guarentee on the aerials I install but if someone told me 2 years down line water was comeing through the cable I'd be so embarressed I wouldn't charge them at all

The only exception to this would be that if you had agreed for them to use the exsisting cable - splitters or amplifier system

If the job was a from scratch brand new install with absoloutley everyting supplied by them there should be no reason water would be getting. In apart from total incompetence and lack of skill on the installers side of the job

Obviously aerials have to be water tight - amalgamation tape used on joints - external water proof splitters and amplifiers etc

£139 - disgraceful !
Stephen P
Saturday 12 May 2012 3:39PM
Maybe not, depending where and what involved - but it is hard to see how water could be coming in with a properly installed aerial. If that is the cause they should rectify it for free.
s dexter
Saturday 12 May 2012 6:54PM
Try taking away your overheads and running costs.replacement of tools equipment etc. etc.Its pretty obvious you do not work for yourself.
KB Aerials
Saturday 12 May 2012 7:10PM
S dexter
im not sure who you are passing comment on as it doesn't say in your comment

if your referring to the last post by valerie allen and mine and stephen p's reply about the fact that the job she had done has to be poor workmanship then i can't quote for stephen p but I am certainly a sole trader working for my self and i take pride in my work - if a customer after 2 years was experiencing water coming through the cable I wouldn't hesitate to rectify the problem for them at my own cost

its how reputation is built up

(if your referring to another post then i apologise )

Keith

KB Aerials
Sheffield

07946481125
Stephen P
Sunday 13 May 2012 12:18AM
Wot he said!
Adina
Sunday 13 May 2012 12:20AM
Thanks for the advice jb38 and Stephen P, never thought of re-tuning without the aerials in. Will let you know what happens, so frustrating.
Neil
Sunday 13 May 2012 2:20PM Basingstoke
Hi,

this is all a bit new to me but,

I have no sat dish on the wall just an indoor loft ariel. I have an ariel socket in lounge and bedroom 1

I have a flat square TV (no built in freeview) about 6 years old. I no longer get any signal, the switch over I guess.

Im interested in freeview or freesat, I would even get a one year Sky package but cancel it after a year.

any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

You cant get cable here RG22 4WZ
Ron Lake
Sunday 13 May 2012 2:35PM
Neil, (Basingstoke)

If you do not have a TV set with built in freeview, you will need a box to fit between your aerial and TV set.

When shopping, make sure you get a box which operates in 8K mode, as a lot of people are now 'unloading' their old 2K mode gear which is now useless.

Whatever you decide to buy, please DO have a look on Google etc. and see if their are any known problems with the equipment as this will save you endless trips to various outlets for replacements or refunds.

I use Phillips/Pace 220/05 without any problems. These, if still available, are a nice cheap one and work very well.

I actually use 2 of them in different rooms and I got them from eBay for less than £15 each.

Let us know how you progress.
Stephen P
Sunday 13 May 2012 3:46PM
Neil - No point in satellite as you should do fine with a cheap /Freeview box per TV and your present aerial, so long as it points at Hannington.

UK digital TV reception predictor

Boxes for £20 or less.

www.argos.co.uk link icon Buy Set top boxes at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Home entertainment and sat nav.
Alan
Tuesday 15 May 2012 4:42PM
Be wary of people who say they charge from £65.00 for an aerial, by the time they leave, with all the add ons you will be up to, maybe £200.00.
Then there are the ones who show you a great big triple boom aerial that can be installed for a great big triple boom price, and the truth is these aerials are more to do
With looks than improvement in signal level. On top of a chimney they make great wind catchers.
I charge £95.00 for aerials mounted on bracket below guttering, single point. I add on £50.00 for a chimney mount and in Southampton after DSO these are very rarely going to be needed as the signal from Rowridge
has gone up quite drastically.
jb38
Tuesday 15 May 2012 5:34PM
Alan: Regarding >> and the truth is these aerials are more to do with looks than improvement in signal level etc << Its pleasing to see someone talking technical sense.
Colin
Thursday 17 May 2012 10:02AM
I used Local Traders to get a price for my aerial installation. I noticed on there website that they offered a widget, not sure if this is any help to people, but it does provide a quick quote <a href="http://www.localtraders.com/widgets.php">Local Traders</a>
Maria
Monday 21 May 2012 11:32PM
Hi

I bought a house 7years ago in the ilkeston (derbyshire)area and have always used a cable-i cant afford this anymore and need an external aerial fitted.how much am i looking at paying and any advise?
Azzy
Tuesday 22 May 2012 6:16AM
Maria: Hi Maria how many TV points do you need?how is your cuurent setup ?
Stephen P
Tuesday 22 May 2012 10:19AM
Maria - what is your postcode? You might manage with an indoor aerial. You have no existing ae at all?

Ask the neighbours what they need.
steve h
Wednesday 4 July 2012 12:42AM
apart from the price issue might i suggest that customers check that their installer still accepts cheques as a form of payment before having the aerial fitted. the cheque card guarantee scheme ended last year so for most small firms to have to gamble on whether the cheque will clear is totally unfair and a threat to their business. there are more rogue customers than installers!
elaine robinson
Sunday 8 July 2012 8:07PM
I have one aerial on my chimney.
There are 4 cables running of it to 4 tvs in different parts of the house.
One of the cable has come adrift and is dangling down the side of the house. This cable feeds the tv in the conservatory and i am now experiencing reception problems with this tv. The 3 tv's work fine.
Any suggestions
Mark Fletcher
Sunday 8 July 2012 8:41PM Halifax
Elaine Robinson.Get an engineer or aerial installer to rectify the problem.
If you or a member of your family or friend were to remedy the fault that you stated,then that is a risk to that individual involved which may not be worth taking.
As i indicated in my first paragraph one or the other should only repair this fault as such,not anybody else.Leave the repairs to experienced workmen/workwomen in the field of aerial installing/engineering.
Dont risk your limbs/life as such !
Stephen P
Sunday 8 July 2012 9:09PM
Elaine are you saying the cable is loose, or that it is broken and you can see an unconnected end hanging down?

If the latter, and you are getting some reception just from a wire, you may find an indooer aerial will do. Post postcode if you want sig strength estimate.

PS Re Cheques - do those unwilling to accept them carry mobile cr card machines?

Aren't charges often over the £100 guarantee anyway?
Ian
Monday 9 July 2012 5:12AM
Stephen P, the cheque guarantee card was withdrawn on the 30th June 2011 by all UK banks. We still take cheques from customers for work we do at their premises, at least if they bounce, we know where they live.
elaine robinson
Monday 9 July 2012 2:14PM Bury
Hi there,
What I mean is the cable is loose and hanging down from the aerial and wafting around in the wind. I do get some reception but not as the rest of my tv's.
I think it just wants securing again, maybe.
thanks
elaine robinson
Monday 9 July 2012 2:18PM Bury
The coax appears to be still connected to the aerial. However, the cable clips securing the coax to the side of the house have come off.
elaine
Ian
Monday 9 July 2012 2:47PM
Elaine, if left to dangle freely it is possible for the internal centre core to break, and this may be why you still have pictures on the other TV's but not on this one. It is also possible for the cable to chafe against the roof tiles of wall and this could cause the cable to fail.
Stephen P
Monday 9 July 2012 4:11PM
In all seriousness, you should have in your terms - on the written quotes/order confirmations - right of access to their properties to remove work not paid for.

elaine - unlikely that just securing it will be enough. Seems the cable or a connection has failed
satdaveuk
Tuesday 10 July 2012 5:34AM
Hi
Not been on here for along time now as we been so busy with work, Just looking through the comments on here.
Earlier someone mentioned water ingress within coaxal cable.... Well if the proper cable which is designed for outside installations had been used it would be impossable for water to travel through it, as its a solid construction.
Many riggers are still using airspace type cables which basicaly act as a hose pipe if coming into contact with water.
You may well ask why they use it, the answer is either because its very cheap infact about 75% cheaper than solids we use or they dont know the difference, my guess 50-50.
There are good specification airspaced cables around, but should only be used internally as just one pin prick through the body of the cable will allow water ingress to the point you will be seeing pools of water by your TV etc, worse cases destroying your equipment.
Far as garantees everyone should be giving 2 years parts and labour on full installations, if companys dont offer this it should be ringing alarm bells to the clients to what there actually getting for there money.
We been giving 2 years parts and labour since the year dot, its no problem because we dont get call backs, which says it all.
Ive said this before on here, the aerial trade since going digital is easer than its ever been, all thats needed is commomon sence the right tools and not skimp on the products your supplying even if it costs that little bit more to the customer and you make that little bit less profit.
I still get a giggle now and then and often wonder were alot of these riggers came from, did they actually traine in the field or just gone on one of these 3 day courses and got the tick or what ever, or walked out of sky or telewest and desided they know it all.
Just look around the chimney pots and count the wall brackets thats been used where as they should have been chimney mounting brackets using a strap to even the load.
Go back 20 years ago you would not have seen that at all, why.... because chimneys are quite fragile, there single skin, normally very high, open to all winds and wether, and we were trained the correct way.
Wall brackets are designed for walls, and chimney mounts are for chimneys
No matter how you look at it those stacks are getting damaged and will be lucky to last 10years before the lot comes down, or the very least will need major work.
What suprises me is why local councils etc havent picked up on it because they stick out like sore thumbs, and doesnt take rocket science to see the fucture problems that will arise.
Anyway hope everyone sleeps well tonight lol.
Regards

Les Nicol
Tuesday 10 July 2012 7:03AM
satdaveuk: I've come across "Kit" properties where the local planning authority has insisteed on false stacks/chimneys in order that the properties blend in with traditional cottages or bungalows. The stacks shouldn't see any aerial or dish assembly on them at all.They are of wooden construction with a wire mesh wrapping that's been cement coated with generally a pebble dash or similar finishing. You can just imagine what happens in this scenaria as the elements impact where aerial and dish assemblies have been attached to same !!!
dave
Monday 16 July 2012 10:51AM
i have a problem with my airel on my tele it keeps freezing up on some channels it has only just started to do this i fitted a bosster when we had the digit turn over so dose this mean i need a new airel
Ian
Monday 16 July 2012 2:18PM
Dave, It could be one of many things. You can have too much signal as well as too little. But it is not just the signal level (Power) which is important, Carrier to Noise Ratio (C/N) and the Bit Error Rate (BER) also play an important part.

It’s no good having a perfect power level only for the C/N level to be say <16dB or too many Bit Errors in every thousand bits.

I would try taking the amp off first and see what the result is, if there is no improvement then I think you would be wise to call in somebody with the correct test equipment.

Trying to solve the problem yourself you may end up feeling like a headless chicken, rounding around in circles and you can’t see where you are going.
jb38
Monday 16 July 2012 5:54PM
dave: Plus to that said, with any queries made that involves a reception issue then knowledge of the persons location is always required, with this being in the form of a post code or at least one from nearby, as only then can access be gained to the reception predictor that helps to assess the signal levels expected at the given location.
Ian
Monday 16 July 2012 8:25PM
jb38, ideally it needs to be his postcode and NOT one nearby.

The postcode predictor is apparently accurate to within 400 meters, although on one job I went to, that clearly wasn't the case.
jb38
Monday 16 July 2012 9:21PM
Ian: My definition of nearby is exactly that NEARBY, this meaning a shop or whatever in the same street or across the road, as some people are for understandable reasons reluctant to provide any info that they "think" might pinpoint their location, "think" because post codes do not usually indicate exactly on a persons property anyway, and with any time that they might actually do always being purely through sheer luck, as in many areas the same post code will in many cases hold out for a few rows of houses.

The other aspect about this being, that I have never at any time found that reception predictors (trade or otherwise) are accurate to the degree anyway that a few streets away either side of an exact code makes any difference, this also applying to terrain predictors that take no account of anything except a naturally occurring hill, as a person could reside behind either a row of high rise tower blocks or alternatively be on the edge the Sherwood Forest furthest away from the transmitter and yet a terrain predictor would give a clear line of sight, although in fairness to terrain predictors they do state "ground level between".

I fully appreciate that in certain difficult reception areas the level of signal as tested on one property can be found to be vastly different simply by crossing the road, this being why I referred to predictors not being accurate to the extent that an exact spot on post code would make any difference to the outcome of any assessment made.

jubaer
Saturday 4 August 2012 2:37PM
I received a quotation of £215 including VAT and 12 months guarantee but still think this is very expensive! Do I need an outdoor aerial or would it be ok just using an indoor one. Also, what if I was to install the aerial myself after purchasing one from Argos? Would it be ok



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